This article is the first piece in the ReDEFINING Blog Series which aims to dismantle the dominant, destructive, and inaccurate perceptions of people by crafting a new narrative for ourselves and defining who we are and who want to be. For more information about the series > 

Guest blogger: Daniel Perez

I wish I did not have to write this piece, but I do It is indeed necessary that I write this piece because I am sick and tired of hearing about the myths and misconceptions about undocumented immigrants that the media feeds the public at large. The media would tell you that I, as an undocumented immigrant, am a law breaking, non-taxpaying, and job-stealing person receiving welfare for me and my family.

However, you and the media would be wrong. I, like the majority of undocumented people, have been paying federal, state, property and income taxes since we began living and working in this country. Even without a social security, paying taxes was possible through an Individualized Tax Paying Number (ITIN) given to me by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). You see, the U.S. government loves my money but hates to provide people like me with a path towards legalization.

Read the reminder of Daniel’s piece over at redefiningus.com >